Astronomy Practice Questions - Chapter 4

How are latitude and longitude used to map Earth?

• Latitude identifies the east-west location, and longitude identifies the north-south location.

• Latitude identifies the north-south location, and longitude identifies the east-west location.

• Latitude and longitude both identify the north-south location.

• Latitude and longitude both identify the east-west location.

Why was Greenwich chosen as the Prime Meridian?

• Because it is the capital of England.

• Because it is the center of the world.

• Because it was the site for the development of the method to measure longitude at sea.

• Because it is exactly halfway between continental Europe and the United States.

How is right ascension different from longitude?

• Right ascension is measured in degrees, while longitude is measured in time.

• Right ascension is measured in time, while longitude is measured in degrees.

• Right ascension is measured in degrees, while longitude is measured in arc minutes.

• Right ascension is measured in arc minutes, while longitude is measured in degrees.

What is the latitude of the South Pole?

• 0°

• 23.5° N

• 90° S

• 90° N

How are declination and right ascension used to map the sky?

• Declination identifies the east-west location, and right ascension identifies the north-south location.

• Declination identifies the north-south location, and right ascension identifies the east-west location.

• Declination and right ascension both identify the north-south location.

• Declination and right ascension both identify the east-west location.

What factors cause the seasons on Earth?

• The changing distance between Earth and the Sun.

• The tilt of Earth's axis.

• The elliptical orbit of Earth around the Sun.

• The unequal heating of the Earth’s surface.

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Why is the summer solstice not the warmest day of the year?

• Because the Earth's atmosphere causes the Sun to appear higher in the sky.

• Because the Earth's atmosphere scatters light and provides twilight illumination.

• Because the Earth's weather involves the air and water covering Earth's surface.

• Because the Earth's air and water do not heat up instantaneously.

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What is the Tropic of Cancer?

• The latitude where the Sun is directly overhead on the summer solstice.

• The latitude where the Sun is directly overhead on the winter solstice.

• The latitude where the Sun is directly overhead on the vernal equinox.

• The latitude where the Sun is directly overhead on the autumnal equinox.

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What is the difference between a solar day and a sidereal day? (select ALL that apply)

• A solar day is longer than a sidereal day because of Earth's movement along its orbit as well as its rotation.

• A solar day is shorter than a sidereal day because of Earth's movement along its orbit.

• A solar day is based on the rotation of Earth with respect to the Sun, while a sidereal day is based on the rotation of Earth with respect to the stars.

• A solar day is based on the rotation of Earth with respect to the stars, while a sidereal day is based on the rotation of Earth with respect to the Sun.

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What is mean solar time?

• Time reckoned by the actual position of the Sun in the sky.

• Time reckoned by the rotation of Earth with respect to the stars.

• Time based on the average value of the solar day over the course of the year.

• Time based on the exact length of an apparent solar day.